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Posted by Tom Umstead on December 18, 2008
First, Discovery hands her the programming keys to her OWN digital cable channel that will launch next year.
Then, earlier this week, Home Box Office gives her creative control over several scripted movies, series and limited series as part of a three-year development deal through Winfrey’s Harpo Films division.
Winfrey’s scripted programming dance with HBO won’t necessarily step o...Read More
Posted by Tom Umstead on December 9, 2008
Lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao provided more than a beat down to boxing’s cash cow Oscar De La Hoya this past Saturday: the “Filipino whirlwind” landed a much more devastating body blow to the PPV boxing category. Pacquiao’s one-sided tarnishing of the Golden Boy all but ended De La Hoya’s nearly decade-long run as boxing’s undisputed PPV boxing champion and has left the sport and cable operators searching for the next marquee fighter who can guarantee a big PPV payday just by stepping into the ring. ...Read More
Posted by Tom Umstead on November 25, 2008
Tonight (Nov. 25) marks the finale of arguably the best drama series ever to air on ad-supported cable, FX’s The Shield. It’s rare in today’s television world when a show’s final episode displays the same quality and grittiness that made the show a runaway hit in the first place. But The Shield’s 88th and final 90-minute episode definitely accomplishes that lofty goal.
Posted by Tom Umstead on November 15, 2008
USA Network’s pickup Friday of the eighth and final season of its popular series Monk was not unexpected but nevertheless bittersweet for fans of the long-running series. Much like FX’s trend-setting drama The Shield – which itself will bid goodbye in two weeks -- Monk ushered in a new era of cable original scripted series, providing a fresh approach to series television. USA Network - then a neophyte in the development of scripted television – took a chance in 2002 that a show about brilliant but obsessive-compulsive police detective would convince viewers that the cable industry could produce quality, original scrip...Read More
Posted by Tom Umstead on November 5, 2008
At around 11:00 p.m. last night, Fox News by a few seconds was the first of the major broadcast and cable networks to declare Barack Obama president-elect of the United States of America.
It was a surreal moment as I watched Fox News anchor Brit Hume officially proclaim the Illinois Senator as America’s first African-American President.
It was hard not to get emotional watching the genuine pride and happiness on the faces of thousands of Obama supporters – particularly those of African descent ...Read More
Posted by Tom Umstead on October 21, 2008
Another mixed martial arts franchise is about to bite the dust. Elite XC will announce today that its closing its doors after two years of operations, according to sources close to the company.
Posted by Tom Umstead on September 30, 2008
With Diversity Week now a footnote in the annals of cable-television event history alongside the Western Show and the Cable ACE Awards, it will be interesting to see if the industry continues to provide the same support to diversity through the NAMIC Conference and the Walter Kaitz Foundation dinner under the new event consolidation plan put forth by the industry’s bigwigs.
Posted by Tom Umstead on September 8, 2008
September is upon us, which means the annual ringing of school bells, the return of pro football and … the debut of cable network original series. OK, the latter is not a traditional rite of fall — in fact, cable usually goes into hibernation while the broadcast networks wipe the sleep out of their eyes from a summer slumber to launch the annual fall and winter slate of new and returning dramas and sitcoms. But this year is different. Fresh off a dominating ratings summer — despite record viewership for NBC's Summer Olympics coverage — cable networks like FX, TNT, Starz and even BET are looking to play on the broadcast networks' turf by premiering original scripted series during the fall months. While the decision to offer shows like FX's Sons of Anarchy in September instead of its traditional summer slot was influenced so...Read More
Posted by Tom Umstead on August 19, 2008
Thus far, NBC's Summer Olympics coverage from Beijing has pulled significant audiences in the first week of its two-week coverage blitz – a clear sign that marquee sporting events on television can still draw huge audiences within a very competitive landscape.
Posted by Tom Umstead on August 12, 2008
Last night CNN’s Larry King Live remembered Mac, who died Saturday at the age of 50 from complications due to pneumonia, with a star-studded tribute show. Comedians D.L. Hughley, Cedric the Entertainer and Steve Harvey –who along with Mac appeared in the Original Kings Of Comedy tour and film – appeared on the show. The 50 year-old Mac gained prominence as a standup comedian, but also won praise for his acting on the big screen in the Ocean Eleven franchise a...Read More
Posted by Tom Umstead on July 16, 2008
Posted by Tom Umstead on June 25, 2008
BET hit numerous high notes last night during its annual BET Awards presentation. Too bad one of them wasn't from a viewership standpoint. The show's 5.8 million viewers – while among the largest audiences for a non-sports cable show this year -- was the lowest for the industry’s most-watched awards show since 5.4 million viewers tuned into the 2004 BET Awards event. More than 6.3 million viewers viewed last year's show and caught performances from Beyonce, Diddy, T.I. Stevie Wonder, 50 Cent and others. On paper, this year's roster of performers looked to be one of the show's best ever. From hip-hop artist Lil' Wayne, who's latest album became the first of the year to debut with more than 1 million units sold, to perennial hit makers like Chris Brown, Alicia Ke...Read More
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